Abstract
The aim of this work has been the identification of the painter’s materials employed in the wall decoration of some destroyed buildings dating approximately between the first century B.C. and the first century A.D. This research originates from a previously started joined archaeological and analytical investigation concerning a varied group of findings that resulted from a rescue excavation performed by Soprintendenza Archeologica in the area of Monte d’Oro in Rome. The focus of this study progression has been directed to a numerous selection of monochrome red, pink and yellow-pigmented fragments. The analyses were performed by means of scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) combined with Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies; visible reflectance measurements have also been carried out and the relevance of this technique in such a kind of archaeological studies has been highlighted. Most attention has been given to the assessment of the performances of non-destructive techniques achieved by portable Raman, and visible reflectance instrumentation to test their diagnostic capabilities. In addition to the expected and well-known pigments such as cinnabar, red ochre, hematite for the reds and yellow ochre for the yellows, the study highlighted a diffuse use of mixed colours and in some cases the possible presence of overlapped painted layers and confirmed the presence of gildings. Among the mixtures of pigments, the most singular outcome concerns the pink fragments revealing the possible application of bone white, which seems to be rather uncommon as a pigment in Roman wall decorations.
Highlights
For many years the field of archaeological and historical studies has been affected by the contribution of scientific research, especially those carried out in the chemical-physical characterisation of materials
It is to stress that all the techniques have been successfully carried out in a nondestructive way and this is of main importance in this field of research
The results obtained from the benchtop transportable micro-Raman and the portable Raman instruments were in good agreement with each other
Summary
The field of archaeological and historical studies has been affected by the contribution of scientific research, especially those carried out in the chemical-physical characterisation of materials. In-depth knowledge of the Responsible Editor: Michel Sablier. In the study presented in this paper, scientific investigations aspired to be a tool in the identification of pigments and binders, the organic ones if present, and hopefully of the painting techniques. Despite of Vitruvius’s and Pliny’s advice for a long-lasting decoration through fresco technique Nat. Hist., XXXVI, 176), today, it is known that Roman wall paintings present several combined execution features.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
